Patrick Barclay: Let’s hope that Thomas Hitzlsperger has opened door to current players

Thursday 9 January 2014 12:14 BST

After Thomas Hitzlsperger’s discussion of his homosexuality in a German newspaper, the chair of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network was asked for a view and said: “It shows that we are moving a step closer to creating that atmosphere in football where players at all levels would be able to come out should they want to, safely and free of discrimination.”

Let’s hope that Chris Basiurski is right. And let’s hope that one day there is no such thing as a Gay Football Supporters’ Network for him to chair, or a gay football club such as Stonewall FC, because then homophobia will have been all but banished from dressing rooms and spectator areas at every level of the game.

There will always be jokes, and should be, as long as everyone can laugh at them. But sexual bigotry has no more of a place in football than the racial version. Fundamental to its right to healthy existence is a climate in which all can express their talent or enthusiasm without fear of exclusion or undue mockery.

It was interesting to hear from Hitzlsperger about the dressing rooms he inhabited when with, among other clubs, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, West Ham and Everton: “It was not easy…You let them get on with it as long as the jokes are somewhat funny and not too insulting.”

Presumably they would not cross the line if it were known that a member of the team was gay and that is why there are hopes that someone, somewhere at the highest level of the game, will come out while still playing.

Hitzlsperger, though he made more than 50 appearances for Germany and featured in World Cup and European Championship squads, has retired. Nor could he have easily declared his sexuality, even if he had wanted to, because he appears to have been unsure of it — and in a generally happy long-term relationship with a woman — during much of his career.

His fellow international Lukas Podolski was prominent among those offering support for his decision to speak to Die Zeit. The Arsenal forward called it “brave and right”, adding that it was “an important sign in our times”.

The times are indeed slowly changing. Robbie Rogers, once of Leeds United, came out after briefly retiring but has since resumed his career, representing the United States and LA Galaxy, where he shares a dressing room with, among others, Robbie Keane, Carlo Cudicini and Landon Donovan.

Closer to home, the eminent Welsh rugby union player Gareth Thomas made his declaration in 2009 and played on for Cardiff Blues before completing his career with the rugby league club Crusaders, also representing his country at that code.

In football it is almost inconceivable that anyone today could do what Robbie Fowler did 15 years ago (and I apologise for reviving the memory, for it surely embarrasses the affable and popular former Liverpool striker) during an on-field spat. Seeking to exploit a myth about Graeme Le Saux, he waggled his bottom at the then Chelsea left-back.

If anyone was foolish enough to do such a thing, moreover, he would he banned for a lot longer than Fowler was — he got two matches, plus four for a quite witty, if ill-advised, snort of a white line on the pitch after scoring a goal (he himself had been a victim of rumours).

Times have indeed changed. And for the better, as any player who breaks the Football Association’s rules on discrimination should discover.

But, because the last vestiges of stigma or taboo still have to be removed, it is not just gay activists who yearn for a big name to come out.

Why should anyone be tempted? We don’t demand that heterosexuals declare their preferences openly (however curious we might be) and prominent sportsmen have as much right as any others to protect their innermost private lives. But courageous people are being encouraged and Thomas Hitzlsperger has just brought their day closer.

Blame Sam’s zombies

If ever there were a case of the players, more than the manager, being to blame for a club’s plight, it’s West Ham right now. Even the captain, Kevin Nolan, who seemed an exemplary professional when fulfilling the same duty at Newcastle, has let Sam Allardyce down by getting himself sent off twice. And several of those on view at Manchester City last night performed like zombies. This, along with central defensive injuries, is the problem.

A Manchester A to Z

Wilfried Zaha, much coveted in the winter loan market, was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last buy for Manchester United. A lot of people know that. But who was his first buy? Viv Anderson. That’s Anderson with an A. The former England right-back went to Old Trafford from Arsenal in 1987. Zaha with a Z arrived from Crystal Palace in 2013. So that was A to Z. In 26 years. Success in football can be as simple as learning the alphabet.

It’s looking good for bad boy Simeone

It is nearly 16 years since David Beckham and Diego Simeone tangled on a French field and, while the Englishman may be congratulated on a remarkably diverse career, the Argentine (below) has continued to let his football do the talking.

Having learned his managerial trade back home, Simeone was appointed by Atletico Madrid two years ago and has already won the Europa League and Super Cup (overcoming Chelsea) and Copa del Rey (beating Real Madrid).

Now, despite the sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco, he has his team five points ahead of their neighbours and only goal difference behind Barcelona as they prepare for this weekend’s home match with the champions.

Having drawn Milan in the Champions League, they also look a good bet for the quarter-finals. But the Spanish title — dominated by the Clasico pair since Rafa Benitez’s Valencia won it a decade ago — would truly establish Simeone among the world’s top managers.

Moyes needs to smarten up his act

How, it is asked, can David Moyes attract top players — and it’s realistic to expect the bulk of his buying in the summer — if Manchester United don’t qualify for the Champions League? The answer is that he will have to pay more and be clever.

The first bit should be easy, given United’s funds and the apparent willingness of the owners to release them. The second will require Moyes to show his Everton expertise at a higher level.

There are top-class performers who like a challenge, as United discovered 18 years ago when Alan Shearer instead went to his native Newcastle — and accompanied them into the Champions League when the competition was extended the following season.

But perhaps the best example is more recent. Luis Suarez joined Liverpool when they were outside Europe’s elite and has rocketed despite it. Whether with Liverpool ~ or not, he’ll be in the Champions League next season.